Bayern Munich are Bundesliga champions again, but they had to work hard for it this time. A look back at the 2018-19 season in Germany.
An enthralling title race between rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund highlighted the 2018-2019 campaign, and while BVB were unable to secure the title in a year when both powerhouse clubs were in a state of transition, they didn’t even have the most remarkable late-season collapse in the Bundesliga.
No, that honor belongs to Eintracht Frankfurt. Facing a string of must-win games in the race for a Champions League position, Frankfurt were outscored 13-2 in their last three games of the season. Their 6-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and subsequent lifeless display against Mainz were shocking enough, but the way they bowed out of a top-six finish to Bayern Munich in the season finale was particularly depressing.
Frankfurt stumbled to the finish line and seem set to lose top scorer Luka Jovic to Real Madrid, but this was still an encouraging follow-up season for The Eagles. They didn’t miss a beat without Niko Kovac at the helm, Sebastien Haller established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best players before going down with an injury, Filip Kostic had some massive performances and Frankfurt made it to the semifinals of the Europa League with a blow-for-blow battle against Chelsea.
This will be an intriguing summer for Frankfurt with Jovic on the way out, but they’ll still have a fearsome attacking “Big Three” in Kostic, Haller, and Ante Rebic. For Frankfurt, the key will be getting better on defense, and a breakout 2019-20 campaign from the promising Evan Ndicka could go a long way.
Leipzig’s defense makes them title contenders
The way RB Leipzig defended this season cannot be overlooked. With just 29 goals allowed, they had an even better defensive record than Bayern, and their dominance at the back goes beyond just the capable goalkeeping displayed by Peter Gulasci.
Ibrahima Konate and Willi Orban were the Bundesliga’s best center-back pairing, even outdoing the work Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels put together. When Leipzig and Bayern squared off to a 0-0 draw, Konate and Orban’s defensive instincts and athletic gifts were on full display.
There’s a case to be made that Konate is one of the best center-backs in Europe right now, and it is scary to think that the breakout star is just 19 years old. Most young center-backs would make multiple critical mistakes over the course of the season, yet it was rare for Konate to slip up. And if he did, he’d have the awareness and the pace to recover quickly. Look for Konate to be Leipzig’s centerpiece player for years to come.
On the flanks, Marcel Halstenberg and Lukas Klostermann were workhorses. Halstenberg had a particularly impressive season as the Bundesliga’s top left-back, asserting himself as an attacking threat with three goals and six assists.
Timo Werner bagged the goals and will be a popular name on the transfer market, and his striker partner Yussuf Poulsen was arguably just as good. But the main reason why fans should keep an eye out for Leipzig as Bayern’s biggest threat next season is their stalwart defense.
Incoming manager Julian Nagelsmann worked attacking brilliance with Kerem Demirbay, Ishak Belfodil, Andrej Kramaric and Nico Schulz at Hoffenheim, leading the team to the league’s fourth-best goal differential with the third-best scoring record. Hoffenheim’s defensive personnel, however, let the team down. At Leipzig, Nagelsmann will get to show off his attacking tactics with the benefit of one of Europe’s most enviable defenses.
Appreciating Thiago’s greatness
Though Bayern Munich were tested by Borussia Dortmund and now have RB Leipzig to worry about over the next several years, Die Roten remain the leaders of the Bundesliga. When it mattered most, Kovac’s side got the job done, memorably shellacking Dortmund at home to avenge their loss at Signal Iduna Park in the first half of the season.
Serge Gnabry is Bayern’s big breakout star and was undoubtedly the catalyst for the team’s rise back to the top, with fellow winger Kingsley Coman not being too far behind in terms of importance. But in a season where veteran players like Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, David Alaba, Franck Ribery and Jerome Boateng either faded or struggled with consistency, one established starter stood firm as Bayern’s rock.
Thiago Alcantara has been whispered in transfer rumors, including a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Though Bayern will be busy this transfer window and could conceivably find the right man to replace Thiago alongside young star Leon Goretzka, Thiago showed that he’s one of the most valuable center midfielders this season.
It is rare for Bayern to lose a battle in the midfield, and that’s thanks to Thiago’s innate ability to keep the game ticking. One of the most technically gifted and intelligent players in the Bundesliga, Thiago cuts out danger before it can develop. Active off the ball and composed off of it, Thiago was the key to victory in many of Bayern’s narrow 1-0 wins against teams looking to counter-attack. Not only did he record six assists – with some of the most beautiful and clutch corners known to man – but he also led the team in tackles.
Thiago’s consistency is admirable, and it will be interesting to see if Bayern are able to hold onto the Bundesliga’s most valuable center midfielder. Any team in the world would be lucky to have a player of Thiago’s class, as there simply isn’t a glaring weakness to his game.
Kai Havertz is the future, but what is the future for Kai Havertz?
Though Ibrahima Konate made his case as the best center back in Germany, the 19-year-old making the most waves is Kai Havertz. Now that Bayer Leverkusen have purchased Hoffenheim star Kerem Demirbay’s buyout clause, bringing the Bundesliga’s most underrated attacking midfielder on their side, rumors are swirling around the duo of Julian Brandt and Havertz.
Though Brandt created chance after chance this year and is a brilliant technician in his own right, Havertz is seen as the future of German football. He played a huge role in Leverkusen’s ability to secure Champions League football, finishing the season with 17 goals. Only Paco Alcacer and Lewandowski scored more, meaning Havertz tied prolific scorers like Marco Reus and Kramaric.
Havertz’s deft touches, uncanny composure and eye for the audacious have made him one of Germany’s most exciting talents. Bayern Munich will continue to be heavily linked to Havertz this summer, and there may not be a player worth watching more closely in the transfer market.
Yet he still wasn’t the best 19-year-old…
There is so much young talent in the Bundesliga that neither Havertz nor Konate were the best under-20 players in the league this season. No, that distinction belongs to Jadon Sancho, who was the best player in the Bundesliga overall.
Sancho was more responsible than anyone else — even Reus and standout center-back Manuel Akanji — for Dortmund’s run at the title this season. Simply one of the most creative dribblers in the entire world, Sancho was also clinical with 12 goals. That’s more than potential Dortmund target Thorgan Hazard, who bagged 10 as Borussia Monchengladbach’s star man.
With one of the best assist totals in Europe (14) and a tireless work ethic, Sancho became a fan favorite even beyond Signal Iduna Park. It is impossible not to be struck by his brilliance on the ball, his quick-thinking in transition on counter-attacks, and his ability to set up teammates from any angle. Sancho is one of the most willing runners in the Bundesliga, and defenses just grew sick of him running at them.
Even still, Sancho was always looking for the killer pass and, more often than not, he found it. Dortmund went as Sancho went, and given that they finished second by two points, that was generally a good thing. Sancho has more potential than maybe any other player of his age in the world right now, and he should walk away with Player of the Year honors.
10 unsung stars
Sancho, Havertz, Haller, Jovic, Konate and Werner were among the Bundesliga’s biggest stars this season, but there are so many talented players who rarely get their duo. It’s worth taking some time to mention just 10 of those talented individuals.
One of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga also played for the absolute worst team in the league. Hannover’s Michael Esser led all players with 12 saves inside the six-yard box and 80 saves inside the penalty area; it’s crazy to think how Hannover would have done without him.
Likewise, Salif Sane was arguably Schalke’s best player this season. He and attacker Breel Embolo, who gave the team a huge lift after returning from an injury, likely saved the Royal Blues from relegation. Sane’s intelligence, commanding presence in the air and timely clearances should not go unnoticed in what was otherwise a dismal season for Schalke.
Kerem Demirbay is a name to know on Bayer Leverkusen. Even if Havertz or Brandt (or both!) are sold this summer, Charles Aranguiz and Demirbay could form one of the Bundesliga’s best midfields. Aranguiz is an all-action engine, and Demirbay is a magician with the ball at his feet who can create chances at will. Also, Lucas Alario’s goalscoring work at the end of the season was no fluke. It isn’t out of the question for him to displace Kevin Volland, who is no slouch himself, one day. And if center-back Jonathan Tah can get more help around him, perhaps more fans will realize how vital he is to Leverkusen’s defense.
One of the best defensive midfielders in the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg’s 24-year-old William could become a household name soon. Niklas Stark was Hertha Berlin’s best player this season, and it’s no surprise that he was once linked to Bayern after standing out against the champions. Though Dortmund’s defense had its issues due to injuries, Abdou Diallo showed his quality and versatility, and BVB have two real building blocks in defense with Diallo and Akanji on their side.